Since It Is So Likely... Another Gem from C.S. Lewis

One of my favourite authors is C. S. Lewis. I devoured all the Narnia series when I was little, but I've also enjoyed his books for adults such as 'That Hideous Strength'. Some of my most remembered quotes come from this deep thinking man.... not least this one.

Found here

As a teacher of primary children, I've always firmly believed that one of the best ways to teach morals and lessons is to get them engaged in, and enjoying good, classic literature. The stories I immersed myself in as a child for hours on end, shaped and moulded part of the person I am today. I learned many things amongst the pages written by great authors, and continue to do so.

Books helped me grow a backbone and develop my brain!

Linda. xox

PS: The full quote is...

“Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.”

C.S. Lewis

If Only I Were A Child Again....

I'd want to be here.

 

Images from Nicety

 

I LOVE the fact that there's superb display shelves for books in this children's play area. Every child should have access to beautiful stories and books - don't you think?

Great storage too.

What an amazing space for a child to be in.

In fact, if it were in my home, I'd be in there all day - who cares how old I am!!

Linda. xox

PS. There's quite a few more videos over on the Tiny Tidy Challenge private blog for those of you who've joined. If you look and listen hard, you may even get to hear me sing (which may not be a good thing - lol).

If you haven't joined the Tiny Tidy Challenge yet, there's 53 of us registered, and you can join us by clicking here and following the prompts on the page. :)

More Gorgeous Shelves

Image from ooh food on Flickr

Yep.

WOW.

Linda. xox

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Home Libraries, Nooks, and Reading Corners....

Are you ready for this?

Over on Houzz (one of my favourite sites ever), I've compiled an idea-book of photos showcasing libraries, books, shelving, and nooks great for curling up and reading a good book in.

You all know how important having books around my home is for me, and how much importance I place on their presence, so this idea-book was an absolute pleasure to collate.

There's over 70 photos in the complete idea book, but the slide show below lets you see a mere 20 of them, so click through here to see the rest!

A feast of bookish joy awaits!

Reading and Nooks

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Kids Products on Houzz- For Example:

Baby Swings And Bouncers · Changing Tables · Cribs · Kids Bedding · Kids Beds · Kids Decor · Kids Dressers · Toy Storage ·

You can find lots of interesting interior pics and ideas over at Houzz.

Between that site and Pinterest, I can disappear for a whole afternoon before I know what's happened.

Linda. xox

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Speaking Of Bookshelves... Here's A Magnificent One For You!

Speaking of bookshelves (as I did a few days ago), how would you like a room with one like this in it?

Image from This Is Glamorous

Uh huh. Dang that's fabulous!

Of course, it's in this house, so it had to be amazing really, didn't it!

Image from This Is Glamorous

Beautiful.

More lovely images over at This Is Glamorous.

Linda. xox

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - A Showcase Of Lovely Home Libraries!

Of course, one of my biggest fantasties so far as what to have in my home is a wall (or walls) of superb built-in bookshelves. I'd particularly like some of the ones that go around and over doorways or windows.

The ultimate fantasy would be like the 'secret door' shelves below. How cool would that be!

I've collected a few lovely library pics over on my Pinterest boards, and thought I'd share some with you!

Image from Coco Kelly

Image from Coco Kelly

Image from French by Design via Pretty Books

Image from Maison Boheme

Image from Pinterest

Image from Desire To Inspire

Image from Beautiful Libraries

Image source

Don't you just adore these?

Beautiful turquoise shelves, books under the stairs, soaring bookshelves for gorgeous collections, secret shelving, and books all around a little day bed to cocoon yourself in. Divine!

If you're a library lover too.... here's another terrific post with lots of glorious home library pics. This one consistently ranks among the top 3 most visited posts on the blog.

Happy Friday everyone - hope you have a weekend bursting with fun and great things to do!

I have 3 days of my 5 week holiday break left... time enough to finish off another great book perhaps! I've read quite a few over my break. A Thousand Splendid Suns was a really moving book and something I'd recommend to anyone... I had a good cry in quite a few places. It's amazing what people can cope with in their lives and still manage to exist somehow. It reminded be again how lucky and blessed I truly am to live where I do, when I do, and how I do.

Linda. xox

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I Just Wrote My First E-Book! Check It Out!

Well.... I'm not sure it qualifies as an e-book as it's only 11 pages long... so let's call it a mini-document, or mini-doc for short!

It's about one of the things I'm most passionate about (apart from soulful and holistic interior design), and I've uploaded it on my new Free Goodies page!

You can see the new button over there on the side-bar.

I'm working on a new one now, along with 2 e-courses for you.

Linda. xox

P.S. I'd love to know what you think!

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A Fantastic Mr. Fox Friday!!

Rather than my normal Fearless Fantasy Friday, I thought I'd feature this gorgeous child's coat today!

It's from the shop Little Goodall on Etsy... and what a brilliant shop it is. Just the most darling and charming outfits that look fabulously well made and sturdy. Gorgeous animals and characters!

Fox fur coat from Little Goodall on Etsy. Image by Bellini Pics.

Here's the description that goes with it:

It's a child in fox clothing! Fox coat of eco-felt, made from 100% post consumer plastic bottles. Looks and feels lovely, beautifully made. This Little Goodall original design features foxy "claws", a fox face hood, two slip pockets for warming foxy paws, and a fuzzy yarn fox tail.

Interior of coat is fully lined with a fun cotton print (print is subject to change from one in last picture due to limited supply, but will remain graphic, brown, and gender neutral), closes down the front with three vintage buttons. Sleeves lined with brown poly lining fabric to slip easily on and off over clothing.

What a glorious thing - I wish I'd had something like this to frolic around in as a kid.... I would have loved it!

As you know I love all sorts of woodsy creatures, and one of my favourite passages from any book ever was about a fox, in the middle of a pine wood, in a book called The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner. (Look it up if your children love to read fantasy in the likes of the Narnian series and Harry Potter etc).

This book was one of the cornerstones of my childhood..... seriously.

It taught me many things.

And, it reminds me of one of my well-loved passages:

Sometimes you read a book so special that you want to carry it around with you for months after you've just finished to stay near it. What's that book for you?  (Markus Zusak).

I still have that book today although it's about 35 years old.

Just looking at this foxy coat takes me back.... oh to be a child again (or else find a grown-up foxy coat to play in!)

Happy Friday everyone. :)

I hope you get to 'play' this weekend!

Visit Little Goodall on Etsy if you're looking for gorgeous coats to stir your own children's playful and imaginative side.

Linda. xox

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Books Under The Stairs!

Nothing turns a house into a home faster than books (in my opinion!).

Here's an example of some really nifty book storage.

Image from Bromeliad

Wish I could walk down some stairs into my very own hideaway/bedroom with plenty of room for good reading material.

Bliss.

Linda. xox

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Too True...

Where would I be without my books.... I dare not think about it.

Image from French by Design

Linda. xox

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A Glorious Stained Glass Window Plus A Bookcase To Admire

Image from Nuevo Estilo

My well documented 'thing' for books and all things 'booky' meant this room was always going to be a hit!

The bookshelves are quite delicious. Lots of little hidey holes and compartments of all sizes to display books big and small... as well as the odd owl or two!

The stained glass window, however, tips the whole thing over into delerium for me. I love a beautiful stained glass window.

Linda. xox

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A Book Nook In Lavender...

How about curling up here and losing yourself in a brilliant book?

What could be better?

Image from The Library via Justine Taylor

And, speaking of books, there's still heaps of time to win one in this give-away. You'll also get some lovely soy candles to create an extra cozy atmosphere, some lovely vintage teaspoons, and two beautifully engraved stones to keep.

Just pop over and leave a comment to win!

There's not many entries, so you're chances of winning are huge!

Linda. xox

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A Bookshelf That's Also A Door!! Wow!

Until now I 'thought' my ultimate bookshelf fantasy was a lovely bunch of shelves built around a doorway, or around a window.... I've always seriously fawned over those sorts of bookshelves.

But....

Now...

Look at this....

Image from Turquoise Tulips and Bliss

Whoa!

A magical door and a bookcase all in one.

It fans the flames of that yearning I have for 'secret' things. Hidden doors, rooms no-one else knows about, undiscovered treasures, little caves full of fascinations.

This really 'had me at hello'.

Superb.

Linda. xox

P.S: I've had this sitting in my drafts folder for a while, and a few days ago I also spotted it over on Erin's great blog House Of Turquoise as part of a guest post by Coco Cozy! I think this pic will do 'the rounds' as it's so fab.

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Simple Displays Can Be Showcased Anywhere!

What a difference and a lift the colourful books on display make to this kitchen.

Image from The Library

I use my books in a similar fashion. Wherever I deem a little dash of colour is required, it's easy to pick out a few books in the colours I want, and pop them in a stack, or standing up, to give that injection of colour I'm after.

I've been known to buy a book based almost entirely on how its front cover looks because it's perfect for a colour scheme I have in mind.

Little mini masterpieces books.... you can move them from room to room, you can stack and re-arrange them, they come in heaps of different colours and designs, and you don't have to hang them on a wall to display them.

I think only one other thing comes close to their versatility, and with minimum maintenance attached. Can you guess what I'm thinking of?

Flowers are pretty great for an instant lift too.

Linda. xox

P.S: The display of rolling pins is absolutely lovely as well. Don't you think? Simple, eye-catching, and a real conversation piece.

P.P.S: Keep your eyes peeled for November's Lovely Links post. I'll put it up within the next few days so you can link up lots of your favourite posts from November.

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Pssssst..... The Sheep Are Back!

Oh look, the sheep are back, and looking friendly and plump!

These ones are distant cousins of our other sheep friends.

And, they obviously have good taste... they live in a room filled with books!

Image from Interior Design Mag via Bijou and Boheme

Linda. xox

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More: Visit a very unusual house with more sheep in its living room!

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Good Grief This Is Lovely.... A Special Pic For Booklovers!

I found Carrie's blog via one of my favourite blogs House of Turquoise about 4 minutes ago (seriously), and this picture just jumped out at me - so exciting!!! I just 'had' to post it straight away.

Can you see what I'm gobsmacked by?

Yes the black and white palette is divine, the accessories are gorgeous, but LOOK AT THE WALLPAPER!

Image from Carrie Leber's blog

My goodness that wallpaper is 'fine'.

Linda. xox

P.S. Speaking of books... time is running out!

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Lovely Links - A Bevy Of Bookcases!!

Hi everyone, it's end of the month Lovely Links party time again!! (A little late - sorry!)

This time I thought it'd be nice to have a theme, so instead of just sharing our favourite posts over the last month, I thought we'd share some pics of the bookcases we have in our homes, or favourite bookcase pics we've found around the web.

I LOVE books, and if I didn't have room for bookcases in my home I think that'd be the end of me. I simply have to have them around to feel comfortable and content.

You can see some of mine below... the smaller bookcase is in the dining/kitchen area, and the other two are close up shots of some of the shelves from two bookcases in the living room. The backs of these ones have butterfly paper on them to give them a meaningful touch for me (I've 'gotta thing' for butterflies).

What about your bookcases?

Or, great bookcase pics you've collected from around the web?

Doesn't matter if your post is old or new... or your bookcases either!

I'd love to see them. :)

Link up below and let us share....



Linda. xox

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A Bunch Of Beautiful Bookends.... And A Happy Tree!!

Oh my, when I came across these astonishingly fab bookends on the blog 'We Heart Books', my eyes lit up!

I've long wanted a gorgeous pair of bookends.... and the aim for a while has been to get some of those wooden bookends where one is the letter A, and the other is the letter Z.

Well, move over letters, I've got a new bookend crush.

Look at these woodland creatures!

Woodland Forest Friends Bookend Pair

Woodland Fox Forest Animal Bookend

You know how I looove, trees and leaves. Not to mention owls, squirrels, acorns, and all things 'woodsy' or 'foresty'.  Well, Etsy shop Graphic Spaces has just become my new 'mecca' for wooden bookends.

Woodland Tree Branch Forest Sapling Bookend

I know these are probably mainly intended for a child's bedroom, but hey, bugger that!! They'd look pretty darn comfortable in my living room. Especially the tree bookends... they're grown up enough to look appropriately 'adult' whilst still being a bit whimsical at the same time.

And, OH, MY GOODNESS look.... there's also a 'Happy Tree Bookshelf'!

Be still my beating heart.

This would have to be a delight for any child who's into books wouldn't it? How I wish I'd been able to have something like this as a little girl in love with trees and books at the same time. Simply gorgeous. And, so beautifully made too.

What do you think - fabulous, yes?

Visit Graphic Spaces' delightful Etsy shop full of woodland surprises right here.

Linda. xox

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An Appendix To My Post Below...Great Storage Ideas For Books And Magazines...

I've been catching up on some of my blog visiting over the last few days, and I came across this marvellous post  at 'Mama Without Borders'.

Image from Mama Without Borders!

It's got heaps of lovely pics (like the one above) with different ideas for storing your books and magazines. (I'm an absolute sucker for images with bookcases and home libraries in them.) 

I thought I'd add this info on as a sort of 'appendix' to the post below about my 'weekend book' and 'dream library', as it fits with my bookish mood at the moment!

You can find Minnie's post here.

Linda. xox

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My Weekend Book And A Library To Dream Of....

What are you all going to be doing this weekend?

I'm going to be finishing my current book  'Hand In Glove' by Robert Goddard. He's probably my second favourite author after Phil Rickman, and I've read this one before (you can tell by its slightly 'weather beaten' condition), but felt like the company of an old friend this week!

Now, if only I had a library like this astoundingly glorious room from one of my favourite design firms Pample Mousse Design Inc to finish reading it in.

Remember the house with the sheep in the living room a while back? That was the folks from Pample Mousse.

Image from Pample Mousse Design Inc

My heart skipped a beat the first time I saw this image.... absolute book lovers' heaven.

Not much to ask is it? That room, with some of these books.... sigh.

Happy weekend everyone!

May you find something amazing and wonderful to immerse yourself in.

Linda. xox

P.S: If you're looking for something interesting and book related to immerse yourself in next weekend (and you live in Victoria), I found the following information on the website www.goodreadingmagazine.com.au.

Sandy from the fab blog Ampersand Design left a link to the site in the comments section of my '8 Simple Tips To Help Your Child Read' post, and it's truly fabulous! Lots and lots of great info, competitions, and things to do for book lovers of all ages. Thanks Sandy!

Mountains of Books: Used, rare and out of print books fair.

10am-4pm, 30-Oct-2010 to 31-Oct-2010.

Ferny Creek in the Yarra Ranges.

The third annual Mountains of Books, organised by second-hand and specialist booksellers from the Yarra Ranges and beyond, will be held on Melbourne Cup weekend, October 30 and 31. Yes, there is life beyond the Spring Racing Carnival.

This special weekend has proved popular with booklovers – locals, Melburnians and visitors – escaping the city’s frenetic activity to enjoy the cool tranquility of spring in “The Dandenongs”.

The fair will have over a dozen knowledgeable and friendly booksellers offering thousands of used and out-of-print titles, including an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction titles plus collectible genres such as vintage children’s books, cookery, art, fashion, gardening and militaria.

Other activities will include professional bookbinding demonstrations plus informative sessions on how to care for your collectible and antiquarian books.

For more info and a contact number, visit the Good Reading Magazine website here, and scroll down until you find it.

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